Thursday 19th - Counting down the days

With the Christmas break rapidly approaching, for many today was their last day in until the New Year.

Many thanks to Roger for the extra photos.

Thursday was a nice bright day, but that really cold north wind was something else. The clear day became an even clearer night and an astronomer's dream with planets galore to observe - Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars in particular showing off the red hue, were all very bright in the sky.

[Photo : Roger]  The Indoor Gang, Alan, Geoff and Roger, were back fitting more of the heating pipe covers in 1675's corridor.

[Photo : Roger]

[Photo : Roger]  Very much a case of where lying down on the job is in fact very necessary.

[Photo : Roger]  The final two photos of the corridor, and also the north end of the saloon where some extra work had to be done before the heating cover could be fitted.

[Photo : Roger]

Over now to the electrical side with Richard I preparing the control cables to the lithium batteries from the onboard processor.

Richard II was similarly busy.

With the four internal doors now fully painted it was time to reinstate their fittings. I made a start on the south connection door and then Tony and Paul took over. As often happens it was a case of hunt the bits, but everything was successfully located and fitted.

I returned later to find the door in place, but with just a tiny problem - it doesn't close! Much scratching of heads, but if I remember correctly I don't think it ever did close. We decided to ignore this because, bar when the coach initially goes out, the connection doors will remain permanently open - the RBrs are always in the middle of the rake.

This left the two internal sliders from the corridor to the kitchen and pantry respectively, and the door to what is now the electrical cupboard - this may of course also be used by RCS for storage. The relative fittings for the sliders were located and fitted, although one of the metal slides for the base of one of the doors is missing still.

[Photo : Roger]  Tony tests the refitted electric cupboard door.

We always help other departments whenever we can. In this instance Stu repaired this strimmer belonging to Lineside Drainage.

John made the necessary adjustments to the ride settings of FK 13329 following his survey on Tuesday. The next job - another check of the vacuum brake system.

The day before, Simon had reinstated the repainted ceiling panels in SK 25488's south vestibule. The two outer panels needed repainting to match, and of course all the screw heads in the securing beading. Bob soon had the job completed, the whole ceiling now looking very much better. 

Following Phil's efforts with the plumbing repairs, both toilet compartments will be brought back into use. Both need a thorough clean, and when we have some spare capacity in the Painting team, both will be repainted.

It was just Maurice working on the MICA van today. With the Woodwork team not present he took the opportunity to black gloss the headstocks and sole bar - these will obviously be protected when further painting of the body sides and ends is required. 

Well done Roger! Finishing the last bit of washing up after lunch.

Turning round I grab a photo of Bob preparing to move. He responds with his usual "Shadap!" reply as with a big grin I say, "Oi, get back to work!". It's usually him saying that to me!

More good progress with FK 13326 with both ends having work done on them. At the north end Phil recoated the left panel with gloss black, moved on to the righthand panel, and then into the connection.

At the south end Jeff top coated the connection door, painted the rubber bellows with matt black, and then white glossed the lamp brackets.

Bob added a final bit of filler on the Malvern side south door and then re-greyed both that and the door frame where filling had previously been done by Ainsley. Rod was inside the vestibule adding wood dye where needed. Some of the door backs had fresh varnish applied.

Highlighting the letters is a job loved by Jeff.

Rod adds primer to a new bit of frame on the Cotswold side south door.

The final job of the day for Phil. A light sand of the lower door panel and corner at the north end of the coach prior to adding the GW Brown top coat.